Blog

  1. Don’t Get Bed Bugs From a Hotel

    We often hear stories about people bringing bed bugs home after staying in hotels. And while waking up with bed bugs in a hotel room is bad, waking up at home and finding that you’ve brought bed bugs home is even worse.  Bed bugs are one of the few insects that are adept at hitchhiking in personal belongings, so knowing how to minimize the risk of bringing unwanted guests home is an essential s…Read More

  2. Quick Tips for Indoor Fleas

    Whether or not you are aware of fleas in your home, regularly vacuum and launder areas where your pet rests. If you have a major flea problem, wash and/or treat your pet and follow the steps below. Locate heavily infested areas (usually areas where the pet rests) and concentrate cleaning there. Wash pet with shampoo (doesn't have to be medicated). Wash throw rugs and pet bedding. Vacuum upholstere…Read More

  3. Cooler Weather Equals Easier Nematode Applications!

    If you suspect that your yard may be infested with fleas, beneficial nematodes are a good choice for control. They are microscopic worms that are broadcast into the soil. They feed on flea larvae and can also help with fire ants, white flies, grubs among other undesirable lawn pests. If you pull white socks over your ankles and walk around the yard for a few minutes you should be able to see fleas…Read More

  4. Silverfish

    Silverfish can live in envelopes and will eat clothing and do damage to papers, etc if left unchecked. They are usually found in stored boxes. You can purchase silverfish baits online, and if they are fresh, they can be effective. We recommend buying a roach powder (99% orthoboric acid, 1% inert ingredients) and dusting boxes that have papers, etc in them (available at Home Depot, etc). If you hav…Read More

  5. Signs of Rats in Your Attic

    Rodents and rats can be a problem around Austin and central Texas, so homeowner's should familiarize themselves with some indications of rats inside their home: Urine Odor. Rat urine has a musky odor. You can easily smell it with large infestations. Rub Marks. Oily rub marks are left in places where rat travel along walls. If rub marks smear, you know they are fresh. Runways. Rat pathways are gene…Read More

  6. The Crickets Will Be Back Soon!

    This is the time of year that a plague of field crickets descend upon us and appear around structures and sometimes inside. While they are a nuisance, they do not breed or infest indoors. The worst outbreaks are usually around businesses. The reason for this is that the crickets are attracted to light. Most commercial properties keep lights on all night which attracts them by the hundreds. Reducin…Read More

  7. Millipedes!!!

    Conditions have been perfect for millipedes this pest season. Above average rainfall and cooler temperatures this spring & summer have contributed. Millipedes need a moist environment where they eat decaying plant material, but if there is too much moisture they can migrate into your home! They don’t do damage or bite, but they can be a nuisance. Generally, pest control isn’t needed for th…Read More

  8. Help with Mosquitoes!

    Mosquitoes are tough! They are horribly annoying to many yet cause little reaction to some. I will recommend a few things that I have found to be effective to control them.  Buy a couple of handheld bug zappers; they are cheap and really fun to use.  I stand out in my yard and zap them as they come near me.  You can reduce the population quite a bit this way. I have actually had success with …Read More

  9. Beneficial Nematodes for Flea Control-Now’s the Time!

    If you suspect that your yard may be infested with fleas, beneficial nematodes are a good choice for control. They are microscopic worms that are broadcast into the soil. They feed on flea larvae and can also help with fire ants, white flies, grubs among other undesirable lawn pests. If you pull white socks over your ankles and walk around the yard for a few minutes you should be able to see fleas…Read More

  10. Carpenter Ants!

    As it’s starting to warm up outside we are starting to get a lot of calls about ants crawling on people’s homes. These are usually wood boring ants, which around here are usually carpenter ants or acrobat ants. These ants do not eat wood like termites do, so damage is minimal, but they can be tougher to deal with as the get more embedded.  Ants swarm in the spring and fall, so it is common to…Read More